The Gut-Brain-Skin Connection and the Benefits of Probiotics

March is the month we shake off the winter blues and start thinking about spring flowers and beautiful days. On the flip side, it is also the time we must complete taxes; or for students, prepare for midterm exams. Basically, March is a happy month mixed with some stress.

This month I want to discuss two common chronic skin conditions affected by stress: Acne vulgarus and Acne Roseaca.

Emotional Stress Leads To Bodily Stress

A well-respected medical journal, Gut Pathogens, published an interesting article1 last year that outlined how emotional stress has an impact upon common skin conditions like acne and rosacea.

Acne or pimples occur when hair follicles become infected. The exact cause is still unknown, but the hair follicles become blocked which allows the bacteria, Probionibacterium acnes, to proliferate and cause inflammation resulting in pimples. A very common form of therapy is to prescribe antibiotics either topically or orally to clear the infection and control flares of acne. Unfortunately, this form of therapy is also associated with intestinal side effects and doesn’t always work. Scientific studies have shown that adding probiotics to standard acne treatment therapy can improve the inflammation and also lessen GI symptoms.

Acne Rosacea or rosacea is a common chronic skin condition that occurs in adults. It causes redness of the face and nose and pimples. In advanced cases, the nose becomes bulbous. President Bill Clinton and Prince Charles are among the millions of people who suffer from this condition.

Stress is a factor that can aggravate rosacea. Excess build up of bacteria in the intestines also plays a role. Taking antibiotics can help to control the skin inflammation. There are several scientific reports that also adding probiotics can help.

Over the years, a number of readers have written in, letting us know how much EndoMune has helped them manage teenage acne and adult rosacea…especially during stressful times!

Take Home Message

Bottom line: If you or your loved ones have these skin conditions, consider taking EndoMune to lessen skin flares – especially if March brings you stress.